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With a saucy wink and promise to find each and every one of them later, Stacy left to cover the auction. Thunderous applause sounded, and Julian also turned to leave. “I’d better go. See you ladies later.” He said ladies, but by the way he looked at her, he meant one. In a world of deception, such focus was dangerous.
The auction was open to both entertainers and members of the public who had obtained pricey tickets to the event. It started with a well-known show, and from there the pace was fast and hectic, with bids coming from all directions. They ventured into the hundreds, thousands and beyond, especially when it came to the stars. They travelled through numerous television shows, movies and more, with actors hamming it up to raise the most money. The women whistled, jumped and cheered with every offering.
Finally, it was time for theSpy Heatcast, and Cheyenne stood taller as she scanned potential targets. The first extra went for over a thousand dollars, far higher than her budget. She bid on the next few, but they went a little too high. Finally, only one remained. She bid when a lull came at $300.
That’s when she saw Julian. He was standing near the stage, poised and strong, with an incomprehensible expression. As if he had something planned…
“That’s $350. Do I hear $400?”
Cheyenne snapped back to attention. She’d been so distracted, she almost lost the auction. She quickly raised her hand. “$400!”
“Excellent. $400. Do I hear more?”
The ladies, saving their pennies for the more famous actors, kept silent. Cheyenne breathed in relief when the announcer said “Sold!” and pointed in her direction. Her co-stars huggedtheir congratulations, and she turned to the payment table. Her steps faltered when the announcer came back on. “Before we move to the next auction, there’s been a change in the last sale.”
Uh-oh.
John, her newly acquired prize, was huddled in deep discussion with the director of the auction andJulian. “We have bad news and good news,” the director said when Cheyenne reached them. “Which do you want first?”
Why did it seem like bad news and truly awful news? “The bad news.”
“The bad news is John is no longer available. Apparently, he received an offer to audition for a director tonight, and we simply can’t deny him this chance. However, we feel terrible leaving you with no one. Someone came up with the perfect solution, one that will make you very, very happy.” The director turned to Julian.
This was not happening.
“Do you want to tell her or should I?”
Definitely not happening.
“You’re in for the surprise of your life.” He paused for dramatic effect. “For the exact same bid, Julian Starcroft has offered to be your date. Congratulations – you’re going to spend the night with the man of every woman’s dreams. What do you have to say to that?”
“Oh yuck!”
Only she didn’t say yuck.
It rhymed with it, though.
It was like a freeze ray stopped the world. Every. Single. Person. Halted. Every single person looked at her. Only one smiled…
Julian.
He winked. “You meant that in a happy way, right?” She just stood there, staring at him as they all stared at her. “Right?” he prompted.
Then she shouted “Yes!” and the world started spinning again. “Yes, yes, yes! I meant, oh fuc... um, how wonderful is this, right? Just so, so, soooo wonderful. And amazing and, you know and…” She exhaled deeply. “Wonderful.”
“She’s so flustered, she called you wonderful three times.” The announcer, looking only partially recovered, gave Julian a thumbs up. He turned back to Cheyenne. “Bet you never thought you’d buy Julian Starcroft for $400.”
“No. Nope. Not even a little.”
“And you want the deal, right?”
No. Nope. Not even a little. Well…What she wanted didn’t matter. She had no choice, not with so many people watching. “Of course,” she forced out, like she was agreeing to that anesthesia-free root canal.
“So what are you going to do with Julian all night?”
Throw him in a jail cell with a hungry lion and watch while enjoying a bottle of fine wine.
“I’m sure we’ll think of something.” Julian took her arm.